Fortis Fellowship 2027: Global Leadership, Mentorship and Lifelong Professional Network
Offered by Fortis Society
Location
Worldwide; online fellowship activities and in-person programming in Medellín, Colombia
Funding
Fully Funded
Study level
All Levels
Field of study
All Fields
Application deadline
November 8, 2026
About This Fellowship
Professional progress often depends on more than qualifications or technical ability. Access to experienced mentors, trusted advisers and people who can explain unfamiliar career pathways can influence how effectively someone turns an idea into meaningful work. The Fortis Fellowship is designed for emerging leaders who have had to build their own paths and want to expand their capacity to contribute to society.
Organised by the Fortis Society, the fellowship is a five-month leadership and professional development programme that brings together people from different countries, industries and backgrounds. Rather than focusing on a single academic discipline, it looks for applicants who have demonstrated initiative, care about improving other people's lives and have a credible ambition to make a wider impact.
The 2027 cohort will combine virtual learning, mentorship and peer engagement with an in-person gathering in Medellín, Colombia. Participants are paired with a Fortis Society member for mentorship and take part in professional learning activities designed around the decisions, challenges and goals they are navigating.
The programme is particularly distinctive in its emphasis on reciprocal support. Participants are expected not only to benefit from the experience and connections of others, but also to contribute their own knowledge, experience and networks. This makes it relevant to applicants who want to develop their leadership while learning how to collaborate across professional and cultural boundaries.
The fellowship concludes with two days of cohort programming in Medellín, followed by the Fortis Summit in June 2027. Participants who complete the fellowship and attend the Summit become members of the Fortis Society for life, giving them the opportunity to maintain relationships beyond the formal programme.
What Makes This Fellowship Different?
Many leadership programmes are organised around a particular profession, qualification or industry. The Fortis Fellowship takes a cross-sector approach. A person working in education, healthcare, government, business, research, the arts or a community initiative may be considered if their experience and ambitions align with the Society's selection criteria.
The programme also does not require applicants to be nominated by an established member or supported by an institution. Candidates can apply directly and are assessed against the same published selection pillars.
Its main value is professional development, mentorship and access to a community of people committed to creating positive change. Applicants should understand that this is not a university scholarship, salaried position or cash-award competition.
Programme Benefits
1. Individual mentorship
Fellows are matched with a member of the Fortis Society. The relationship is intended to give participants an opportunity to discuss professional decisions, career development and the challenges involved in pursuing ambitious goals.
Virtual sessions, workshops and peer interactions provide opportunities to examine problems from different perspectives. The international cohort allows participants to learn from people whose professional environments may differ substantially from their own.
3. Funded cohort programming and Summit
The organisation states that the cohort programming and Fortis Summit are funded for fellows. The in-person programme takes place in Medellín, Colombia, in June 2027. Applicants should confirm the exact travel, accommodation, visa and other expense arrangements directly with the organisers before making financial commitments.
4. Cross-sector professional relationships
The Society connects members working in areas such as business, law, healthcare, education, technology, government, academia and the arts. These relationships can help participants exchange knowledge, identify collaborators and understand how people in other fields approach complex problems.
5. Lifelong Society membership
Fellows who complete the programme and attend the Summit become members of the Fortis Society for life. The continuing community is based on mutual assistance, knowledge-sharing and a commitment to helping members achieve meaningful impact.
6. No participation fee
The official fellowship page states that applying and participating are free. The programme does not list a cash stipend or salary, so applicants should not treat it as a source of personal income.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship welcomes applicants from around the world who have faced barriers to opportunity and are working towards a meaningful contribution to their communities, professions or society more broadly.
It is open across professional sectors and does not require a particular university degree. The organisers indicate that applicants may have different levels of work experience, although recent cohorts tend to include people with approximately one to five years of full-time professional experience.
The programme may be worth considering if you have taken initiative despite limited resources, developed a project or service that benefits others, or begun building a career in which you want to increase your positive influence.
Applicants should be prepared to explain not only what they hope to achieve, but also what they have already done and how their experiences have shaped their ambitions.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
Fortis evaluates applications using four main pillars:
1. Humble beginnings
Applicants should explain the circumstances that made their educational, professional or personal path challenging. The Society is interested in how candidates navigated limited resources, restricted access to networks or other barriers, rather than simply looking for prestigious qualifications.
2. An altruistic focus
Candidates should show that their work or ambitions extend beyond personal advancement. This could involve improving a service, supporting a community, creating useful products, strengthening an organisation, teaching, conducting socially relevant research or addressing a problem that affects other people.
3. Ambition at scale
Applicants should communicate what they want to change and provide evidence that they have begun working towards it. A clear example of initiative, a project, a practical achievement or a problem already being addressed can help explain the connection between a candidate's ambitions and their experience.
4. Generosity
The Society values people who are willing to help others. Applicants should consider how they share knowledge, support colleagues, contribute to a community or make useful connections for people around them.
Important: The programme is open internationally, but meeting these broad criteria does not guarantee selection. The fellowship is competitive, and applicants should consult the official call for the complete and current instructions.
Application Requirements
The official application page identifies the following materials and stages:
Résumé or portfolio: Provide a clear account of your experience, achievements, projects or other work that demonstrates your potential. A portfolio may be useful where it shows your contribution more effectively than a conventional résumé.
Three short written responses: Applicants are asked to reflect on where they started and where they want to go. Use specific experiences rather than relying on general statements about leadership.
A two-minute introductory video: This can be recorded using a laptop or phone. Prepare a concise explanation of your background, what motivates your work and the impact you want to create.
Virtual interview, if shortlisted: Candidates invited to the next stage will speak with the recruitment committee. The organisers state that shortlisted applicants receive a short guide beforehand.
The application generally takes approximately two to three hours, according to the official programme page. Allow additional time to select strong examples, prepare your written responses and record a clear video.
How to Prepare a Strong Application
Explain your starting point honestly. Describe the circumstances that influenced your journey and the practical steps you took to move forward. Focus on your actions, decisions and learning rather than presenting hardship as an achievement in itself.
Show evidence of contribution. Explain what you have actually done, who benefited and what changed as a result. If you are still developing a project, be clear about its current stage and your own role.
Make your ambitions specific. Instead of saying only that you want to become a leader, identify a problem you want to address, the people affected and how you hope to contribute to a solution.
Demonstrate reciprocity. Think of examples in which you helped someone learn, shared useful information, supported a team or contributed to a community. The Society's emphasis on generosity means that collaboration matters alongside individual achievement.
Use the video to add context. Your introduction should complement your written responses rather than repeat them word for word. Speak naturally and make your contribution and goals easy to understand.
These are preparation recommendations, not additional official eligibility requirements.
Application Timeline
Application deadline: 8 November 2026
Interview period for shortlisted candidates: November–December 2026
Membership decisions: Expected by the end of January 2027
Fellowship and mentorship period: January–June 2027
In-person cohort programming and Fortis Summit: Medellín, Colombia, in June 2027
Time Commitment and Practical Considerations
The Society describes the virtual component as approximately two to four hours of monthly sessions and mentorship between January and June, followed by four full days in Medellín for cohort programming and the Summit.
Before applying, consider whether you can balance the programme with your existing work, studies or other responsibilities. If shortlisted, ask the organisers to clarify the schedule and travel arrangements. Although cohort programming and the Summit are funded, the exact scope of travel and accommodation coverage should be confirmed directly.
The fellowship is best suited to someone seeking mentorship, leadership development and long-term professional relationships rather than a direct financial award.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Fortis Fellowship open to Nigerians?
The programme welcomes applicants worldwide and does not state a nationality restriction on its current fellowship page. Nigerian applicants can consider applying if their experience aligns with the selection criteria.
Do I need a university degree?
No. The official programme page states that there is no formal education requirement.
Must I be nominated?
No. Applicants can apply directly. A nomination does not replace the application process.
Is the fellowship fully funded?
The organisers state that the cohort programming and Summit are funded and that there is no participation fee. The official page does not advertise a cash stipend. Confirm the exact expenses covered, particularly international travel and accommodation, before making plans.
Will the fellowship provide a job or university admission?
No such guarantee is stated. The programme focuses on mentorship, professional learning, relationships and lifelong Society membership for fellows who complete the programme and attend the Summit.
When will applicants hear back?
The Society expects to communicate membership decisions by the end of January 2027. Shortlisted candidates may be interviewed during November and December 2026.
Can I apply if I work outside the nonprofit sector?
Yes. The Society accepts applicants across sectors and looks at the impact of their work rather than requiring a particular job title or professional field.
Final Note
The Fortis Fellowship 2027 is a leadership-development opportunity for people who have built their own path and want to expand their ability to contribute to others. Its strongest appeal is the combination of mentorship, cross-sector learning and a continuing international community—not a cash scholarship.
Applicants should review the official criteria carefully and use real examples to demonstrate their experience, ambition and willingness to support others.
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